By MELISSA PEACOCK

EDGARD – Proponents of a plan to build a West Bank recreational complex hoped that a parish-led property hunt would end this week in the purchase of acreage, signaling the beginning of the design phase for the center. Instead, a motion by St. John the Baptist Parish Councilman Lester Rainey to authorize the parish president to negotiate the land purchase was tabled.

The motion came on the heels of months of speculation about where and when construction on the recreational complex will begin.

In June 2002, the School Board agreed to sell the old Second Ward school property to the parish. However, leery board members asked that a stipulation be added to negotiations limiting property use to recreation or education. The purchase of the land at a cost of $72,000 was tabled at the request of Parish President Nickie Monica in November. Later, the plan was abandoned after officials deemed it too small.

The property now being considered, Rainey told the council, was his first choice from the beginning. The statement was made after some members complained that three different properties were brought to the council for consideration during the property hunt.

Funds from an $18 million bond issue will cover the purchase, as well as some construction costs.

But further delays for the complex were not the only challenges facing advocates of local recreational facilities. The council delayed action on a resolution asking voters for additional funds for park operation and maintenance.

The resolution called for an election on a 1/4-cent sales tax to fund the operation.

“I think it would premature to enact funding for maintenance until the projects are on line and we know what it is going to take,” Councilman Duaine Duffy said, noting construction and maintenance projects on local parks parish-wide.

In the meantime, Council members stressed utilization of the Sheriff’s Department work crews to maintain parish parks and recreational facilities.